Be Part of Building a New Republic

Sinn Féin makes submission to Assembly on regressive HGV charges

The Sinn Féin candidate for the EU Midlands North West constituency, Matt
Carthy, has called for the north to be made exempt from a proposed levy on HGVs
crossing the border which is soon to be imposed by Westminster.

Carthy made his call as the party introduced a submission on the issue to
the Assembly in the north.

Speaking in Galway today Cllr Carthy said:

“Under new legislation
being introduced by the British government, all HGVs crossing between border
areas and the six counties will be liable to pay up £10 a day. Areas like Donegal will be
particularly affected by this regressive measure.

“This levy will penalise already hard-pressed small and medium
businesses. The high price of fuel
coupled with this new charge will negatively impact on businesses that utilise
haulage firms. Inevitably the costs would eventually come back to hit the
average consumer.

“The levy has the potential to
separate the northern economy from the rest of the island, at a time when the
emphasis should be placed upon building island wide trade which generates £2.3
billion for both economies on the island. Increasing barriers to trade will
harm both economies.

“Sinn Féin is leading the way north
and south in opposition to this unfair charge with Pat Doherty MP highlighting
the issue at Westminster level and Pearse Doherty raising the issue with
government representatives in Leinster House.

“The Sinn Féin submission demands
that the north be made exempt from this charge on the basis that:

·
It is the only devolved area that shares a land
border

·
Petrol and transport costs are higher

·
Roads infrastructure is developed on an island
wide basis

·
The levy will impact negatively on trade
north/south and trade in transit (Donegal – Dublin for example)

·
Impact on ports price differential will impact
on northern ports that handle imports going south. There is the potential they
will bypass northern ports and land in Dublin etc

·
The exclusion of the north will have only a
marginal impact on Treasury as any imports or exports to Britain will still
have to pay the cost when landing in Britain.

“The north needs to be exempt from
this regressive charge. The southern government must step in and pressure the British
government to stop this charge which has the potential to severely affect the
future viability of small and medium businesses along the already struggling
border region.”